In a significant development, the state government has greenlit the implementation of the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR) in 23 villages amalgamated under the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).
This move promises substantial advantages for landowners within these villages, marking a pivotal milestone in their developmental trajectory. The inclusion of these 23 villages within the municipal ambit was initially sanctioned by the state government on June 30, 2011. However, subsequent directives mandated the appointment of the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) as the special planning authority, thereby vesting all administrative powers within its purview. A senior member of a Civil Rights Organization said that for the last several years, the state government had been demanding that the ‘UDCPR’ rules should be applied to the 23 villages included in the Municipal Corporation. Finally, it was accepted by the state government. Therefore, the citizens of these villages will also be able to take advantage of this regulation now.
Notably, the villages set to benefit from this regulatory overhaul encompass Mahalunge, Sus, Bavdhan Budruk, and others, constituting a diverse geographical spread across the municipal jurisdiction. Despite the completion of the development plan by the PMRDA and subsequent regulatory processes, the final approval from the state government remained pending, prompting calls from various quarters for the implementation of the CPR regulation. Advocacy groups, including civil rights organizations and the Marathi Construction Professionals Association, vociferously advocated for the adoption of CPR regulations, citing its potential to streamline development initiatives and catalyse infrastructural growth. Following concerted efforts and advocacy campaigns, the state government has acceded to the demands, issuing a directive to implement DPR regulations in these 23 villages. The order, issued by Dr. Pratibha Bhadane, Joint Secretary of the Urban Development Department on March 15, marks a significant victory for stakeholders championing inclusive and sustainable urban development.
